Dooley: What we think now about college football season

Wednesday

We all know it’s coming, but a college football season is like a runaway subway train with the conductor locked in the bathroom. It flies by like a cheetah chasing a speedy meal.

The treadmill doesn’t take any time to slow down for you to step off and catch you breath. It’s always on 11.

That’s how we find ourselves here, halfway through a season that feels like it just started for most teams or about a third of the way to the end of the season if you are Alabama.

Back before this season started, we had a bunch of ideas and opinions and we spouted them off even though we knew a lot of them would be wrong.

For example:

What we thought then: Florida is going to be a slow rebuilding process so be patient Gator fans.

What we think now: Patience, Shmatience. The Gators are ranked 14th in the country, won back-to-back road games and just beat the No. 5 team. That said, it still might be a good time to pump the brakes a little.

What we thought then: Georgia will take a step back this year.

What we think now: Here’s the funny thing — in 2016, Georgia lost five games. Two years later, fans are fretting over an unbeaten and unchallenged team. The offense hasn’t been as good as some people expected and the Bulldogs have at times looked bored. The second half of the season will be what decides how far this team will go.

What we thought then: It will be fascinating to see how Scott Frost does at Nebraska and Chip Kelly at UCLA.

What we think now: It will be fascinating to see which one wins a game first.

What we thought then: The Pac-12 may get shut out of the playoff again this year.

What we think now: The good news is Washington is within striking distance. The bad news is every Auburn loss makes Washington’s resume look shakier.

What we thought then: Speaking of Auburn, with QB Jarrett Stidham in his second year playing for Gus Malzahn, the Tigers are going to have an explosive offense to go with that nasty defense.

What we think now: Not so fast my friends. Auburn is lacking on the offensive line and at the skill positions. The Tigers rank 13th in the conference in total offense. How’s that Malzahn contract extension looking?

What we think now: It’s like it never happened. Ohio State may be the only team that can take down Alabama.

What we thought then: An improved Brandon Wimbush is going to make Notre Dame a national title contender.

What we think now: The Irish have a shot at the playoff, but it’s because they made the switch at quarterback to Ian Book.

What we thought then: If Nick Saban goes with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, Alabama is going to be dangerous.

What we think now: You are correct sir. The Tide are averaging 56 points a game and Tagovailoa is on track to win the Heisman Trophy.

What we thought then: Arkansas is going to struggle with a new style of coaching, but Chad Morris knows offense.

What we think now: The Razorbacks — despite a 31-point outburst against Alabama last week — are last in the SEC in scoring and total offense.

What we thought then: FSU has to be better than the team that had to reschedule a game to be bowl eligible because Willie Taggart will bring new excitement to the program

What we think now: We even had FSU ranked 19th in the preseason poll. The Seminoles are 1-3 in the league they used to own and have three games on the horizon against teams that are currently unbeaten. Yikes.

What we thought then: Texas is still a year away.

What we think now: The Longhorns are ranked ninth in the country.

What we thought then: Michigan State will bounce back. Mark Dantonio is too good a coach.

What we think now: Never mind.

What we thought then: Boise State will be the team that knocks UCF out of a New Year’s Six bowl game.

What we think now: Never mind.

What we thought then: Ole Miss might be sneaky good.

What we think now: Yeah, when they are playing nobodies. In two SEC games, the Rebs have been outscored 107-23.

What we thought then: Being dead wrong is one of the many things that makes college football the best sport in the world.

What we think now: That’s one we got right.

Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at pat.dooley@gvillesun.com. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.

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